The Meme of “Russian Aggression”

[newthinking]

30. Depends on what they buy. TVs from China, not really. From Europe, yes

Bread, still less than 50 cents a loaf.

Your "take" won't work against me because I know people who are there and talk to them regularly.

One friend just bought a TV for their kitchen - They made the choice for once by a company called "Telefunken" (older German brand now made in Russia). Works great and cost them $100 (24&quot .

Some things have gone up, but not dramatically as you would like to think. In addition Russia has increased social programs to compensate. Housing programs have been increased dramatically.

Several friends I keep in regular contact with their family income more than doubled as all government jobs increased 2-3x in pay overnight. That also had carry over effects on private industry.

What is the purpose of trying to make something sound the way you want it to when it isn't fact? Does it feel better? I just don't get it. You are obviously not talking to anyone who is there?

There are a lot of storefronts closed (Mostly businesses headquartered in Ukraine that were forced to pull out (by Ukraine law)). But plenty of others remain in place.

If you have ever been to that part of the world you might know that they still have large centers of small family kiosks and stands everywhere and those are very good at finding sources and provide a buffer against international business whims. Even so, Russian department stores have moved in and still, interestingly, there are major Ukrainian appliance stores that have somehow managed to continue business (Ukraine was far more corrupt than Russia, likely "blot" is still a factor there)